Oconee County awarded rights to troubled Utica property

A judge’s ruling this month awarded Oconee County possession of a property at Utica, which the county served notice of intent to condemn.  Judge McIntosh’s ruling in the Common Pleas Court granted the county the rights to 14 Padgett Street, including the land and a mobile home on the property.  In pursuing condemnation, the county called attention to section 109.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code as it relates to blight and the danger to the safety and health of the community.   McIntosh agreed with an appraiser’s determination that the property enjoys a fair market value of $4,500.  McIntosh ruled the $4,500 is just compensation.  The amount had earlier been rejected by the estate of James Allen Broach, and the two sides then proceeded to trial.  Trial date came December 9.  But none of the parties named as a landowner or condemnee appeared.